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Tony Evers, Governor
Caleb Frostman, Secretary

Department of Workforce Development
Secretary's Office
201 E. Washington Avenue
P.O. Box 7946
Madison, WI 53707-7946
Telephone: (608) 266-3131
Fax: (608) 266-1784
Email: sec@dwd.wisconsin.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, April 15, 2019
CONTACT: DWD Communications, 608-266-2722
On the Web: http://dwd.wisconsin.gov/news/
On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/WIWorkforce
On Twitter: @WIWorkforce

Wisconsin Agencies Partner to Launch Transitional Jobs Program for Veterans

Unemployed veterans can enter a transitional jobs program to assist in building new skills.

MADISON – The Departments of Workforce Development (DWD), Children and Families (DCF) and Veteran Affairs (WDVA) announced the launch of the Hire Heroes: Wisconsin Transitional Jobs Program for Veterans. The program helps veterans with high barriers to employment by subsidizing local businesses to hire and train veterans in job skills needed for long-term sustainable employment.

"Veterans have served this country with dignity and now it's our turn to serve them," said Secretary-designee Caleb Frostman. "The Hire Heroes program supports veterans by encouraging employers to train veterans and provide them with in-demand, transferrable skills, which benefits Wisconsin employers and the people who have done so much for our state and country."

The Hire Heroes program utilizes the structure of existing transitional jobs programs currently overseen by DCF to establish new job sites for veterans. DCF and its transitional jobs providers will also be assisting DWD's staff in connecting veterans to current transitional jobs employers.

Eligible veterans who contact DWD, WDVA or DCF seeking employment assistance will be referred to the program through local job centers.

"Our cross-agency partnership allows veterans to benefit from the programs and support each department brings to the table,” DCF Secretary-designee Emilie Amundson added. "Hire Heroes is a perfect example of how connecting the dots results in improved service for Wisconsinites.”

Through Hire Heroes, employers are reimbursed federal minimum wage, federal social security and Medicare taxes, state and federal unemployment insurance contributions or taxes, and worker's compensation insurance premiums when hiring eligible veterans. To be eligible, an individual must meet these requirements:

At least 18 years of age
A veteran, as defined under Wis. Stat. § 45.01(12)
Submit an application to the program no later than 7 years after the date of discharge from military service
Ineligible to participate in the Wisconsin Works (W-2) program
Unemployed for at least 4 weeks
Satisfy all requirements related to substance abuse screening, testing and treatment

"Veterans have valuable skills and tools that are important to employers,” WDVA Secretary-designee Mary Kolar said. "I encourage Wisconsin employers to participate in this program. Together, we can help the men and women who have served our country and now need our assistance as they move into their civilian life."

Interested veterans and employers should contact their local job center for more information and enrollment details. Find your local job center at JobCenterofWisconsin.com/directory.